I wanted to celebrate that night by doing some crafting, but Callie told me in no uncertain terms that I wasn’t allowed to do anything soul straining for at least the rest of the day. So, since training was done, crafting was over, and I’d already done all of today’s wishes, I decided to relax and take my mind off things by spending some time with my sister.

Since I wanted to get to know her, I’d let her pick exactly what we did, and she’d excitedly dragged me to the library where Anna’s friend hung out (albeit a totally different section) and plopped down in a big chair with a book, reading contendedly.

I tried to enjoy the downtime, really I did, but I’d never been super into sitting still. There was a reason my favorite pastime was a video game when I was mortal. I liked DOING things. I slammed my book shut, clearing my throat. “So…this is fun.”

“Mm.” Agreed Chelsea distractedly. Her eyes were glued to the pages of her book.

Sighing, I tried again. “So…I thought the reason you came on this trip was to get away from the solitude and loneliness. Do…like, non book stuff? Shouldn’t we be out playing a game or fishing or racing cultists on the back of wild hyenas through an exploding gorge or something?”

“Why does that sound specific enough to have actually happened?” She said suspiciously. “And I’m NOT lonely. I do plenty of social things. Sometimes I just like to relax. Is that so bad?”

I held up both hands. “Not at all, I just…I’m not the sitting around type. I like to be up and doing things. Not just combat or training or whatever, but just something. I’m sure we could find something fun to do in the city.”

“We could ask Bethy.” She said with a slight blush. “She always has good ideas about how to have fun. I think she’s probably the most fun person I know.”

Despite her obvious crush, I couldn’t really argue that. Bethy was a blast, though her brand of fun was often way too exhausting. I shrugged, hopping to my feet. “Sure, we can see if she’s found any spots around town to hang out.” Literally anything to get me out of this damned library, not that I would say that. I didn’t want to hurt my twin’s feelings.

I needn’t have worried, the promise of possible Bethy time had her up and heading for the door with no hesitation. I still didn’t know what the deal was with her, Bethy, and Gabe, and I was staying out of it, but I was happy to see Chelsea opening up and bonding with other people at the very least.

When we reached Jessie’s healing workshop, we headed right in, and were immediately buried in an avalanche of small furry bodies. “Go my minions!” Cackled the tiny vampire in the black ball gown standing on a table in the center of the room. “Retrieve your spoils of war, bring them and lay them at my feet!”

“Bethy!” Shouted Jessie over the rustling and chittering. “This is NOT a valid way of cleaning up a mess! You don’t need to control a horde of flying rodents to pick up the cotton balls one at a time! I just asked you to get a broom!”

Bethy looked scandalized. “A broom?” She said, putting a hand to her chest. “But I’m a Vampire. Witches use brooms. Vampires have hordes of bats that do their biddings.” She paused. “Or thralls, but I didn’t bring any of mine with me on this trip, so who else am I supposed to have clean up my messes?”

My friend closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, than gave a slow nod. “Please recall the squirrels. I’ll clean up the cotton balls.”

Looking dubious, Bethy shrugged. She snapped her fingers and a red sky blurred briefly into existence behind her as they all flew into her domain. I still wasn’t sure how she did that, but it seemed useful. Glancing down at her feet, I saw a pile of misshapen and partially chewed cotton balls next to her shiny black platform boots.

“See!” She said excitedly. “That’s like…three quarters of them. There’s almost none of them anywhere else in the room.”

Gesturing around, she pointed out the rest of the infirmary, which was indeed pretty much free of cotton balls. It was covered in glass, shredded pillows, and ripped up sheets, but there were basically no cotton balls that I could see.

Turning to give Chelsea and I a much to wide smile, Jessie clapped her hands together. “Oh look, guests. Wonderful. Bethy was just about to take her lunch break.”

The vampire cast a shifty eye at one of the beds in the corner. “Well…that artillery engineer does seem like he’s pretty out of it. I’m sure he wouldn’t miss a pint or two. He smells B negative, but I’m in the mood for spicy.”

“Not what I meant!” Snapped Jessie in exasperation. “Will you get her OUT of here please? I love her to pieces, but she isn’t made to be trapped in a small building for weeks on end. She’s getting antsy, and it keeps making her do crazier and crazier things!”

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

I smirked at her. “Fine, we were about to ask Bethy for some advice on party spots anyway. She can come with us.” I glanced at my blushing sister. “You don’t mind if she tags along, do you Chelsea?” When she didn’t answer, I nodded. “See, everyone wins. Although Agria still needs a guard. Bethy, can you leave Luggage here to keep watch?”

The big hellhound didn’t spend all his time in the real world, often retiring to Bethy’s domain like the squirrels. It didn’t take much effort though, for her to snap her fingers and let the big black dog out of her personal world.

Once he was out, we said our goodbyes and left. As we walked out of the camp, I raised an eyebrow at Bethy. “So how much of that was you poking her until she broke?”

She shrugged. “Just a little. I was super bored, but Jessie has gotten so used to being the healer on call that she just does whatever people say. She needs to stick up for herself more. It’s going to get pretty bad soon, and if she can’t put her foot down they’ll run her ragged.”

“Is it really that bad?” I asked in concern. I’d been so wrapped up with my own training and hurrying to get things done I hadn’t had time to check in.

The Vampire shook her head. “Nah, not yet. But she’s been pushing back her downtime more and more to keep up with demand. That cotton ball thing was only my most recent attempt to push her over the edge.” She shot me a fang filled grin. “Yesterday I wrapped Randall in the infirmary’s entire supply of bandages. When he was full sized. She looked like she was about to pass out from trying not to yell.”

“And it never occurred to you to just…talk to her?” I asked in amusement.

She just giggled. “Where’s the fun in that?” Before I could continue that line of questioning, she perked up. “Oh! Speaking of fun, you and Chelsea wanted to know good hang out spots right?” She shot my sister an equally wide but much less menacing smile than the one she wore talking about her time in the infirmary. “What kind of places were you hoping to find?”

Chelsea gulped. “Oh, nothing crazy. Just…Shane thought I could use a day out. Says I shouldn’t spend all my time reading in the library.”

“He’s totally right!” Bethy squealed. “I would love to help you pick out some new clothes! You’re so pretty and your hair is super cute. I can think of a dozen outfits for you to try on. Oooh, I have the cutest parasol that would just look darling with your-”

I shut that shit down real quick. “No!” I snapped, drawing strange looks from both of them. “Chelsea and I wanted to hang out, is what I mean. You two can try on outfits another day when I’m busy. We’re looking for things to do as a group. You can even come along like I said, but it has to be an activity we’ll ALL enjoy.”

“Boo.” She pouted. “What a buzz kill.” She pondered for a minute. “I haven’t had much chance to get out during the day, what with guarding Jessie. I’ve been taking really enthusiastic night time walks though! The forest is super pretty. Oooh! How about we get Chelsea a pet! Pets are the best. I know this super cute bunny that would be perfect.”

With nothing better to do, I just shrugged, agreeing to follow her out into the woods to look for a rabbit my sister could keep as a pet.

As we walked, Chelsea and Bethy chatted, seemingly pretty comfortable with each other barring Chelsea’s initial shyness. I chimed in once in a while, but I didn’t try too hard to intrude. I wanted to get to know my sister, and she and Bethy were discussing plenty about her life. Plus she looked so happy I couldn’t bear to interrupt.

We walked for about an hour before we felt the first quake. I cocked my head, a little confused. “Interesting.” I said casually. “I didn’t know this planet had earthquakes. I guess it makes sense, even a huge place like this must have tectonic plates.”

Bethy just giggled, turning to look at me. “What? That’s not an earthquake silly.” There was another shudder, and focusing harder I realized that it was the crash of something hitting the ground. I froze, turning in the direction the sound was coming from.

“Just to be clear.” I said slowly. “You seem to know what that is, and that it is NOT an earthquake. Is it possible, then, that the shaking we’re seeing is the…’bunny’ you brought us here to find?” At her cheerful nod, I closed my eyes, sighing in frustration. “Bethy…how BIG is this bunny?”

Not bothering to respond, she just pointed happily behind me. As I turned, I saw a COLOSSAL white rabbit sail through the air, feet descending toward the ground like a falling meteor. It was E-rank for sure, and seemed strong, and as it struck the dirt, the ground quaked again, so intensely the three of us almost fell over.

We both turned to look at the Vampire in disbelief. “How exactly is she supposed to CATCH that thing, much less tame it? Did you even consider how dangerous this is?”

She rolled her eyes at me with a huff. “Of course I did. I’m not stupid. He’s a big boy, so we definitely need some treats to calm him down.” She snapped her fingers, a box appearing from her spatial ring. She held it out, flipping it open to reveal a small round cake covered in white frosting with a single orange carrot on top in icing. “Ta-dah! I brought carrot cake!”

I just stared at her. “Bethy, I don’t think that carrot thing is even true! I’m pretty sure it’s an urban legend. I doubt the giant rabbit is going to care one way or the other abou-” I froze as the rabbit perked up, ears twitching.

It gave a long, deep sniff, looking around suspiciously, before it’s beady eyes turned slowly to fix on us. It stared unblinkingly at the box in Bethy’s hands. “Oh look!” She said cheerfully. “I think he likes it!” She sounded happier about it than I was, considering the massive size of the rabbit in question.

“Bethy.” I said quietly. “Put the box and the cake down on the ground, and then back away…very slowly.”

She looked at me seriously for a minute and then shrugged and said. “Nah.” Before holding the box up and bellowing. “LUNCHTIME BUNNY!” At the top of her lungs. The rabbit bolted for us as if fired from a cannon, and I groaned internally. Why had I agreed to consult Bethy about ANYTHING? I always seemed to forget that Bethy stories only seemed fun AFTER they happened. Oops.